The buh-dub-a-dah dub-a-dah dub-a-dah makes you want to go, go, go! 1977 Laverda Jota 1000

Creemore Valley Classics VIP Stories #86

I will be attending with a 1977 Laverda Jota 1000. The Jota is loud, very loud. This particular bike was delivered from the factory to the Canadian dealer with the endurance racing three-into-one exhaust, not the Slater pipes. The previous owner told me a story I’ve since heard from a couple of others who were there that in the early 90s he rode the bike to a vintage meet in Parry Sound, Ontario. He hadn’t entered the Jota into the judging, but still it drew quite a crowd. As the awards were announced he was surprised to have won the award for ‘best sounding motorbike’! I can understand why. Even at idle the ‘buh-dub-a-dah dub-a-dah dub-a-dah’ cadence brings a smile to any motorcyclist within earshot.

Because of the rearsets and the single seat the riding position is somewhat racey compared to the standard 3CL’s. Snicking the shifter down into first elicits the same satisfying ‘chunk’, and the clutch pull is just as heavy. The throttle is instantly responsive and it takes off with real urgency. This is a bike that wants to go go go. It is easy to get caught up in the spirit of the thing.

The Jota’s close ratio gearbox has a higher first gear and second is a little closer to it. There is a jump to third but fourth lowers the revs by just 800 rpm. Fifth feels taller. Rolling the throttle on in any gear at any speed and the bike accelerates like a rocket.

This bike was featured at the recent CVMG Paris National Rally as part of the “Year of the Triples”. See photos.

Owner Steven Troupe